10 Best Practices for Starting Machinery in Cold Temperatures

Do not remove the air cleaner element when snow packing occurs.

Caterpillar (www.cat.com) publishes Cold Weather Recommendations for All Caterpillar Machines, (Excerpted from Operation & Maintenance Manual, SEBU5898-11-01). Further, Caterpillar organizes the document about construction machinery and heavy equipment in cold weather and low temperatures in the following five topical sections of information, operation, maintenance, reference information, and index.

In the second of the five topical sections in Cold Weather Recommendations for All Caterpillar Machines, Operation Section, Starting Recommendations, Before Starting Engine, Caterpillar warns “…not to remove the air cleaner element when snow packing occurs… ” as it can cause severe engine damage. As an alternative option, Caterpillar recommends to “…rework the air intake so air is taken in under the hood.”

Further, in cold weather and low temperatures, Caterpillar cautions against the dangerous practice of using a torch to heat compartments, which causes fires, burns wiring, gaskets and seals, and melts the battery case. Also, to help prevent fires, Caterpillar advises not to install canvas covers near exhaust systems of construction machinery and heavy equipment.

Here are ten best practices for starting construction machinery and heavy equipment in cold weather and low temperatures:

1. Check the air cleaner daily, before starting the machine.
2. Attach a burlap sack loosely to the pre-cleaner, to prevent snow from accumulating.
3. Keep the burlap sack away from heated parts and moving parts.
4. Block the radiator, to assist in warm-up and restrict air from the fan.
5. Use additional items to assist in warm-up: coolant heaters, block heaters, tents, additional batteries.
6. Check the gasoline tank and sediment bowl, if equipped with a gasoline starting engine.
7. Check for moisture and dirt, at every 50 service hours.
8. Inspect hydraulic hoses, tires, and fan drive belts, before entering the operator’s station.
9. Inspect components for cuts, cracks, and worn spots.
10. Check all electrical wiring and electrical connections for any fraying or for damaged insulation.

(Source: Caterpillar, Cold Weather Recommendations for All Caterpillar Machines, Excerpted from Operation & Maintenance Manual, SEBU5898-11-01)

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